As part of efforts to fully realise its mandate, the nation’s foremost maritime education/training institution, Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, has advanced plans for a strategic partnership with Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI) and Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA).
The landmark engagement, which was held from 23-27 February, 2026, underscores the Academy’s commitment to promoting maritime education, professional training, and human capacity development across West and Central Africa, People&Politics learned.
The proposed partnership is anchored on several mutually beneficial legs, including that both institutions would establish a lecturer exchange programme; Maritime Education and Training (MET) resource sharing; peer review of MET curricular in areas of expertise; and promotion of courses offered by both institutions on each partners’ communication platforms including their websites.
The partnership will also involve training of Liberian youths at NMA Oron; placement of MAN cadets onboard Liberian-flagged vessels for sea-time training; and training of Liberian Port State Control Officers at the Academy in collaboration with the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control.
The Chairman, Governing Council of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Engr. Kehinde Olayinka Akinola, said the visit was part of the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government (FG) to strengthen regional maritime cooperation, institutional capacity, enhance global best practices, and position Nigeria as a hub of maritime operations in the sub-region.
These were contained in a statement issued by Head of Public Affairs, MAN Oron, Domo Umoekpe, today.
The statement quoted Engr. Akinola as saying: “This visit majorly underscores the Federal Government of Nigeria’s commitment to advancing maritime education and international best practices in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda for the Marine and Blue Economy sector. The proposed agreement will strengthen sub-regional cooperation and fast-track collective growth within the blue economy sector.”
He further noted, with satisfaction, LiMA’s well-structured maritime administration system, strong adherence to global maritime conventions, and commitment to competitiveness within the international maritime community.
In his presentation during the visit, Acting Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Dr. Kevin Okonna reaffirmed the Academy’s dedication to continually develop highly skilled and competent seafarers capable of competing with their counterparts around the globe.
He emphasised that the Academy’s retinue of competent workforce, state-of-the-art training facilities and enhanced curricular have positioned the institution as one of the best maritime education and training institutions in the world, aligning the Academy’s remarkable strides with the visionary policy direction of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, HE Adegboyega Oyetola.
According to him, the partnership will open new pathways for knowledge exchange, institutional collaboration, and practical training that will benefit cadets, instructors, and maritime operators across the sub-region.
He said: “We acknowledge and recognise Liberia for its significant stance in the global maritime community, particularly as a nation with the world’s largest merchant ship fleet/tonnage and as a Category A Member of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). “
Dr Okonna added: “This partnership reflects our shared vision to build a new generation of highly skilled and globally competitive seafarers through collaboration, innovation, and capacity development.
“It would enable both institutions to leverage each other’s strong points to enhance the quality of MET and capacity building for lecturers and cadets.”
In his response, the Deputy Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority, Mr. John F. Harvey, welcomed the Academy’s delegation, noting that partnership between the two countries was a welcome development that will serve as a model for other regional collaborations.
Reaffirming his organisation’s unwavering commitment to maritime development, he described the proposed collaboration among MAN, Oron, LMTI, and LiMA as a major step towards strengthening regional maritime cooperation.
“Let me reaffirm our unwavering commitment to mutually beneficial partnerships that would enhance maritime education and training excellence and professional development of our cadets,” he said.
Other officials of the Liberian Maritime Authority, who spoke separately, expressed profound admiration for a well articulated and insightful presentation by the Academy’s delegation, noting that the presentation showcased the Academy’s institutional capacity, strategic direction and commitment to excellence.
The partnership initiative is expected to chart new pathways for strategic collaboration in a lot of areas, foster innovation, maintain maritime training excellence, deepen capacity-building initiatives, strengthen research partnerships, and promote cross-border knowledge/culture transfer.
The Nigerian delegation undertook a guided tour of the top-notch marine engineering training facilities of LMTI and were treated to a beautiful parade display by LMTI cadets.
In the Academy’s delegation were the Chairman of the Governing Council, Engr. Akinola; Acting Rector, Dr. Okonna; Council Members: Hon. Faisal Halidu, Hon. Samuel Isichei, Mrs. Hussaina Inja, Hon. Shegu Maigari; some Members of Academy’s Management: Director, Research and Strategic Development, Dr. John Adeyanju; Ag. Registrar, Mr. P. M. Netson and Ag. Bursar, Mr. Anthony Ambi.
The Secretary General, Abuja MoU on Port State Control for West and Central Africa and a partner of the Academy for PSCO Course, Capt. Sunday Umoren; Senior Assistant Registrar- Rectorate, Mr. Ime Morgan; Senior Lecturer-Marine Engineering, Mr. Hope Inyang, and Academy’s Head of Public Affairs, Domo Umoekpe, also participated in the study tour.
The tour was facilitated by Marshall Shield, represented by Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa and Mr. Steve Ujah.
*PHOTO CAPTION: 7th right, Deputy Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority, Mr John Harvey; flanked by Chairman, Governing Council of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Engr. Kehinde Akinola (to Harvey’s immediate right); Acting Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Dr. Kevin Okonna (6th right); and other members of Nigeria’s delegation to the 2026 study tour to Liberia.
